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Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding in East Tennessee: A Leadership Journey

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Ann Perry, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, TN
Catherine H. Ivory, RNC-OB
IN

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify multidisciplinary methods utilized to increase breastfeeding exclusivity

Learning Objective 2: The learaner will be able to describe measurement methods to track breastfeeding improvement percentages

Successful breastfeeding may reduce hospital costs across the lifespan, increase patient satisfaction, improve community health and combat obesity.  In two rural hospitals in East Tennessee, the need for an ongoing, multidisciplinary approach to improve breastfeeding exclusivity rates during the hospital stay was identified.  This project was implemented as part of the Maternal-Child Health Leadership Academy, with assistance from an on-site mentor and expert faculty. Specific leadership skills that the author developed included communication with key stakeholders, facilitation of committees, curriculum development, mentoring of bedside caregivers, public speaking and team-building

To assess baseline competency, an online learning module was completed by 85 team members. A 43 hour nationally-recognized Certified Lactation Counselor Course (CLC) for nursing staff was held on-site on March 14-18 and 9 nurses were awarded as CLC’s. The CLCs assisted in hands-on competency assessment for all bedside caregivers. A breastfeeding committee with key stakeholders including staff nurses, nursing administration, and new mothers, was formed in June 2010 to gain a variety of perspectives, with the overall goal to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. Monthly lactation rounds for medical students and residents were developed to increase knowledge base and promotional skills. The educational content directly supported the nursing team’s education and reinforced efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding. To monitor success, 2 data points were analyzed:  if the mother had breastfed exclusively during her hospital stay and timing of first breast feeding. An increase of 1.4% was noted on exclusive breastfeeding, but the timing of first feed fluctuated widely. In the future, spread of these initiatives throughout our multihospital system will support our mission to become the region’s premier provider of lactation services.

 

See more of: Poster Session I - Maternal Child Health Leadership Academy Invited Posters
See more of: Invited Posters